Port Harcourt — Governor. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has reportedly turned down a N150 million offer from Chairman of Gokana Local Government in the state, for the rural water project in the area.

According to a statement made available to Daily Champion and signed by Blessing Wikkina, Chief press Secretary to the Governor, the money, said to be was a voluntary contribution from the Gokana Council Chairman Chief Victor Giadom to the state government, was meant the actualization of the Gokana water project for the 17 communities of the local government area.

Governor Amaechi who announced the return of the N150 million to the Local Government council coffers weekend, said the decision which was made by the State Executive Council in its last sitting, was in recognition of the Council Chairman's performance as one of the four best performing local government area heads in the state.

"As an honour for his efforts in the development of the LG, the State Exco had decided to fund the Gokana water project, and so the N150 million contribution from the LG, is hereby returned to them", Governor Amaechi said.

He therefore used the occasion to call on other council chairmen to justify their election by embarking on projects that has direct bearing on the lives of their people and emulate the Gokana Local Government boss to deliver the dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

Governor Amaechi who was in the local government area for commissioning of projects executed by the council hinted that leaders seeking re-election must show their performance as a testimonial, and congratulated Giadom for the construction of an ultra modern market, roads and the Skills Acquisition Centre for the use of the people.

Governor Amaechi said his administration would continue to recognize and encourage the third-tier of government to deliver quality services to the people, stressing that more modern primary schools and health centres would be built in the state next year.

The State Chief Executive also used the opportunity to warn youths of the area, particularly those living around the Bodo axis, who engages in illegal bunkering, to desist from the act as security operatives would soon clamp down on them.

He explained that the illegal activities had polluted the waters around the area, and it would ultimately affect those engaged in fishing as a means of livelihood.

Speaking as Chairman at the reception, Justice Peter Akere (Rtd), said the people are impressed with the leadership of Chief Victor Giadom especially in his quarterly rendering of account to the people and embarking on projects that touch more lives.

Justice Akere also urged the state governor to remain steadfast, courageous and not to be distracted to shift the focus of his leadership because his administration has set a new agenda for infrastructural development in the state.

In his welcome address, the Gokana council boss he newly commissioned market has 300 shops/stores, complemented by facilities like sick bay, catering, fire office, and toilets with the aim of boosting rural economic growth.

Giadom also noted that his council has embarked on the training of 1,140 youths in various skills acquisition programmes to empower them to be self employed and earn

legitimate income, which as officially flagged off by the wife of the Governor, Lady Judith Amaechi.

The Gokana Local Government Chairman said the people of the area are satisfied with the policies and programmes of Governor Amaechi's led government and pledged their unalloyed loyalty to the present administration.

The state governor, accompanied by his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, had earlier paid a courtesy visit on the Gberemene Gokana Kingdom, King Barnabas Bagia.